The Ultimate Guide To Buying Barbour

There are a few clothing items in this world worth investing in. 

Every closet should have a perfect fitting pair of jeans, classic nude pumps (for ladies), a statement silk scarf, and a timeless jacket that will be fitting for almost every season. 

I’ve found that the latter is fulfilled with the Barbour Beadnell Waxed Jacket

However, buying Barbour for those who haven’t bought Barbour before can be quite tricky, so I’m here to help navigate the right time to buy, the right style and sizing help in the Ultimate Guide to Buying Barbour. 

Guide to Buying a barbour jacket

The Essential Guide to Buying Barbour Jackets 

Step One: Understand the sizing.

The first thing to realize is that when you go to buy a Barbour Waxed jacket the sizing is always listed as the UK sizing and the corresponding size for US customers. However, I have found that these jackets still run a little narrow so order up one size especially if you plan on wearing layers underneath. Example: I normally wear a size 2 in JCrew (specifically this coat) and in this Barbour Beadnell Jacket, I am a size 4 US/ 8 UK. The sleeves are also something to take note of, the core lined coats (any Barbour coat with a double zipper) are notoriously short in the arms for long-limbed people. I highly recommend sending your jacket back to Barbour to get these alterations made, or drop it off at an Orvis nearby to take care of these alterations (see a list of services here). I wouldn’t trust this to a 3rd party due to the investment cost of this jacket plus you’ll void the warranty if it isn’t taken back to a certified retailer.

Guide to Buying a barbour jacket Guide to Buying a barbour jacket

Step Two: Decide the right time to buy Barbour. 

The great thing about the Barbour Beadnell is that it is their iconic style so it will never go out of season. Barbour almost never goes on sale, so when you can find an online retailer that is offering a sale on winter items and Barbour is included in that discount, you want to snatch up those items during that time. One of my favorite online retailers, Tuckernuck, has a fantastic Black Friday sale where depending on what you buy, you can get up to 30% off your total order! That means, 30% off Barbour Jackets, bringing the price point down $120- a considerable savings! Another great time to buy Barbour is right after MLK day when retailers start dumping their winter clothes (albeit ironically because we’re still in the middle of winter) in exchange for their resort and spring collections. Bloomingdale’s Friend’s and Family sale during Early April gives you up to 25% off your entire order! It’s definitely a great time to buy.

 

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Guide to Buying a barbour jacketClassic Barbour Beadnell Waxed Jacket in Sage || Chunky Cable Knit Sweater || Audrey Allman Designs Necklace || Article of Society Black Jeans (under $60) || Frye Boots || Erika Raybans || Rose Gold Watch || Blue Topaz David Yurman Bracelet || Dooney Bourke Saddle Bag (vintage) similar splurge and steal 

Step Three: Decide what style you like. 

Barbour has a handful of great styles to choose from, the two jacket styles you can pick from are waxed cotton and quilted. Both are great selections and one of my favorite styles is the Beadnell Polarquilt. It was a tough decision between buying the classic Waxed Beadnell or the Beadnell Polarquilt, for a first-time Barbour buyer, I would recommend getting the Waxed Beadnell, as you most likely already have a quilted jacket for winter and you should start with the classic first. If you decided to get the Polarquilt, you will notice the price point is considerably lower than the waxed jacket and requires less maintenance throughout the seasons. If you’re unsure of which style is for you and there is no retailer nearby for you to try these jackets on in person, I highly recommend buying multiple sizes from Nordstrom since they have a free return policy. Had I never tried on the Barbour Beadnell Waxed in person, this would have been very helpful when it came time to decide on the different styles. 

Step Four: Decide which color you want.

Barbour has quite a few colors to choose from. Most notably you will see this jacket in green, but you may not realize there are two different greens to choose from: sage and olive. My waxed coat (pictured above) is in Sage. Olive has a browner tint to it whereas sage has a more shimmering “wet” look to it. Other colors of the waxed jacket include black, navy, bark, and rustic (a dark brown color.) If this is your first coat, I highly recommend the sage as I personally like the shiny aspect of the color (which does fade over time, which is why it’s important to get it reproofed!)Guide to Buying a barbour jacketGuide to Buying a barbour jacketGuide to Buying a barbour jacket

Step Five: Realize that waxed jackets need upkeep.

Barbour recommends reproofing your jacket every year, the wax keeps the jacket waterproof after all. I think you would be fine to re-wax it every other year if it isn’t your main jacket for winter and if you stay out of the weather mainly when wearing it. Also, replacing and repairing parts on your Barbour is more expensive and more time consuming since you must send it to Barbour to fix the item. You can see a full list of services and repairs offered here
Guide to Buying a barbour jacket

 Classic Barbour Beadnell Waxed Jacket in Sage || Chunky Cable Knit Sweater || Audrey Allman Designs Necklace || Article of Society Black Jeans (under $60) || Frye Boots || Erika Raybans || Rose Gold Watch || Blue Topaz David Yurman Bracelet || Dooney Bourke Saddle Bag (vintage) similar splurge and steal 

Insider tip: Waxed Barbour Jackets aren’t really “Winter” jackets.

The Waxed Beadnell Jacket that I have is not by any means a winter jacket if you live anywhere that gets snow. The waxed jacket is perfect for us Southerner’s because it is weatherproof, wind-resistant and would hold up nicely against the faint dusting of snow we get every year. However, anyone who lives in a Northern region of the world may find they need linings inside of their waxed jacket to keep them warm. You can find some great zip-in accessories here, and remember that this will add bulk to your jacket which might make it fit more snugly. If you anticipate getting a lining and wanting to wear this jacket for winter, you might want to size up again to accommodate all the extra layers during the colder months. 

Insider tip: Beadnell and Bedale are two different styles.

While both jackets give a boxier shape, the Beadnell is the more feminine and flattering silhouette whereas the Bedale has a unisex, boxier fit. The Bedale does NOT have plaid underneath the collar and the sleeves are longer than the Beadnell and do not have the interior plaid lining.

Guide to Buying a barbour jacket

Barbour Polarquilt Jacket in Navy || Articles of Society Jeans (favorite jeans under $70) || Loft sweater (if sold out try this option!) || Julie Vos Pendant Necklace || Daniel Wellington Watch || Sunglasses

Guide to Buying a barbour jacketGuide to Buying a barbour jacket

What I love about the Barbour Beadnell Waxed Jacket is that it is a classic style that will never go out of fashion and it is extremely well constructed with functional pockets for both keeping your hands warm and storing things (like a phone, shotgun shells, etc.) in. I personally think it’s a jacket that everyone should keep in their closet as it goes with a multitude of outfits (see inspiration here). However, this year I’ve added the Beadnell Polarquilt to my collection and it’s taken over my wardrobe. I’ve paired it with blouses and slacks for work, sweaters and jeans for a casual outing, and thrown it over a skirt and shirt which added an equestrian touch to the ensemble. 

If you’re in the market to buy a Barbour, I recommend buying from someplace that offers free shipping and free returns (like Nordstrom) so that you can try on the styles you want and not have to worry about wasting money on shipping. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me and I will do my best to help! 

Shop the Beadnell Wax Jacket Outfit 

Shop the Beadnell Polarquilt Jacket Outfit

Thanks to my friend Dasha of Dasha Crawford Photography and Shayna of Uprising Imagery for contributing their photography to make this article possible. 

Author: Cynthia

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  • I want to know about the blue stone clover bracelet you have on in the Barbour pic? Love that!

    • Hi Mimi,

      Unfortunately it was a gift from my sister last Christmas and she got it at TJ Maxx so there is no telling where it is from. I love it too! It’s rose gold and a beautiful blue gem in the bezel. Try etsy for something similar!

  • Thank you so much for this!
    So, thinking of the Classic Beadnell sizing… I am a dress/jacket size US 8. Should I order the
    US 10/UK14? Thank you for your help!

  • This is so helpful!! Thank you for putting so much detailed information into this guide! I’m buying my first Barbour (waxed, utility jacket) and I’m between size 6 and 4 — having a tough time deciding which size to keep, but your article has a lot of helpful info to consider since I plan to own my jacket for a long time. Many thanks!!!

    • Hi Shar,

      I am so glad you found this article useful! That was my goal with this post so I’m glad you got some great use out of it! I personally would size down as even though the waxed jacket does have a slight tapering to it, even with a bulky sweater it’s still very roomy on me. (For reference I have a size 06, am 5′ 10″ and 140lbs but wish I had a size 04!) You will have this jacket for a lifetime no doubt!

      • Hi Cynthia! Sorry to rehash an old thread, but I’m looking to buy a Barbour Beadnell jacket for my girlfriend for Christmas this year and I want it to be a surprise and I’m trying to coordinate sizing. I’m a bit confused because in the article you mention sizing up and in this comment you seem to mention sizing down. She is 5’8, 160lbs. What size would you recommend based on this? I am hoping to take advantage of Cox & Saddlers excellent pricing but since I will be ordering from the UK I want to make sure I nail the size to avoid costly exchange shipping. I appreciate your help!

        • Hi Andrew, Sorry for the delay. There are probably two styles I was talking about in the post. If you want a wax jacket for her, if her normal jacket size is a 4, a size UK 6 should be good. Hope this helps!

    • Hi Alex!

      I haven’t tried on that particular jacket but in my Quilted Barrowdale I bought it in a size 4 and I’m 5’10 and 135 pounds. I think the size 4 would work well for you.

      Hope that helps!
      Cynthia

  • Hi Cynthia,

    I just ordered my Barbour Beadnell in Sage from Tuckernuck but mine looks waaayyy darker than yours does! I’ve seen it as that lighter green color (which I love) but the one I received is so dark it’s almost black! It also seems like they just waxed it today, so I was wondering if you new how the wax affects the color. Did you jacket brighten/lighten as the wax faded? Thanks!

    • Hi Grace,

      hmmm that’s weird, I don’t recall my jacket being dark when I initially got it. I do remember it was very stiff from the wax and the wax faded as it aged but I don’t remember the color being affected by the wax. I would reach out to Barbour directly about it or exchange it to Tuckernuck.

      Best!

  • Thanks for this guide, it’s so helpful!
    I have the classic olive Beadnell but want to get one of the quilted ones. Do you have them both in the same size or did you have to size up the quilted? Thanks!

    • Hi Shruti, I’m glad you enjoyed this guide! I actually got a size UK 8/ US 4 in my Quilted Beadnell which is the same size as the Barbour waxed Beadnell in this post. Looking back I wish I had gotten a size UK 6/ US 2 in the Waxed Beadnell since my Waxed Beadnell has been a bit oversized, to begin with. I hope that helps!

  • Would you say your jacket is waterproof. I am thinking of getting the BARBOUR BOWER WAX JACKET. I work for the department of fish and wildlife, and need a really snuggy good jacket for being on the boat in the winter time? I’m 5ft nothing 116 pounds what size would you recommend for me? I will probably want to where a sweat shirt under it?? Thank you so much:)

    • Hey there, the Beadnell waxed jacket and the beadnell quilted jackets are weather resistent but not entirely waterproof. I soaked my waxed jacket pretty heavily one time during a thick snowfall and it took a couple of days to dry out. I wasn’t entirely wet underneath, but it was like wearing wet jeans- just uncomfortably heavy. I don’t have any experience with the Barbour Bower jacket, unfortunately. I do have one of the Barbour raincoats (http://bit.ly/2pjrfZA) and it’s kept me dry both times I’ve got caught in the rain in it! But I can guarantee that if Barbour says it’s waterproof, it’s waterproof. I think you should take whatever jacket size you currently wear and step it up one notch. So if you wear a size 4 in a jacket, get a size 6 and etc. Hope this helps!

  • Although this was posted a year ago, I found it to be very helpful. I went to Nordstrom’s and bought the Polarquilt jacket in navy and I love it! I found that for it ran true to size. At 5’2″, 120 lbs., I thought I’d need a US 8 because of my broad shoulders. The US6 works well and isn’t so boxy in the back. Now I plan to buy my daughter the Barbour Beadnell in Sage for her 23rd birthday!

    • Hey Lisa, I’m glad you found this guide helpful! I actually update it pretty frequently whenever I get a new jacket or if I find out some new information. I’m glad you love your navy polarquilt! It’s one of my favorites as well.

      I am not certain when your daughters birthday is, but if you purchase the jacket from Tuckernuck, one of my favorite online retailers, (http://bit.ly/2OGFDu5) you can receive 10% off your first order. They also have a great black Friday sale on them as well!

  • What size is your quilted Barbour? I am between ordering the US 2 or US 4! I am 5’6″ and weigh 128.. I can’t decide. Do you have a recommendation? Thanks!

    • Hi Hannah,

      I ordered a size 6 but could have easily ordered a size 4 and that would have been okay with me. I’m 5’10” and 140lbs so my size 6 with a chunky sweater still has a bit of gapping in the jacket.

      Best,
      Cynthia

  • I am stuck between a 2 and a 4! I am 105 lbs and I am 5’5! I normally wear a 0 in Peacoats. I tried on a 2 in the Barbour Beadnell, and I love it except I feel like the arms are too short because I have long arms. Is there a fix to the short sleeves?

    • Unfortunately, no I don’t believe there is a fix for the short arms. I have heard some people have gone to a third party to let the arms out a little, but it tends to void the warranty with Barbour if you don’t have your alterations done with them. I would just plan on wearing long sleeves if you’re concerned about the arm sleeve length.

  • Hi Cynthia, just order online a beadnell size 10uk (6us) and I am usually size S in everything, I don’t know if this size will be big to me. Which size is yours? Thank you

    • Hey Ana,

      That should probably fit! I ordered a size 6 and normally wear a size small. You want a little room for a sweater or some sort of lining underneath. Enjoy!

      Best,

  • Thanks for the very comprehensive guide! I’m going to buy the Beadnell Waxed, but I don’t know what size to get. I’m 5’9, 125 lbs, and wear a size 2 US. Is it oversized so that I should buy a 2 US, or does it run tight in the shoulders that I should buy a 4 US?

  • Hi, what do you think of the Defence jacket? Macy’s recently made it available in the state’s for the first time.

    Thanks,
    Ivy

  • Add a size. (Ex: If you are a US2, look at US4). If you have big boobs or want to wear a sweater under it, or add a liner for winter, add two sizes!